Homemade.

All the gifts I've loved to make. Holiday Edition.*Chapter 70*

It seems appropriate to jump on the train of the holiday themed post and offer you some gifting ideas. Tis the season, y’all.

I started making holiday gifts for family and friends because I couldn’t afford to buy everyone presents. It used to feel silly and frivolous and honestly embarrassing but now I find them charming and special. I’ve always been a naturally crafty person and have such fond memories of being hunkered in my room finishing up my Christmas projects.

This year, as all years before, I am very behind on my plan but that’s always part of the fun. The rush before the holiday to get everything finished and wrapped. If you’re like me and either can’t afford or don’t want to buy your loved ones things, I’ve put together a list of homemade gifts that are thoughtful, useful and sometimes even delicious.

1. Journals

I love a journal. A homemade one is even better. You can personalize them with stamps and stickers and fabric. I’m obsessed with this hardcover version and am planning to use it this month because… someone may have written a cookbook and is maybe planning to print and bind them herself…

Bookmaking is so meditative and something I’ve used several years in the past. Last year I made planners modeled after Your Best Year Yet with journal prompts to inspire. In 2019, I took on a massive project writing silly, magical, bespoke stories for all of my friends and then binding them into small notebooks. I get such warm nostalgia thinking about it.

2. Bookmarks

I kept getting targeted with ads for cute bookmarks that fit over the corner of your page and thought, I could make those. With lots of felt and embroidery thread, I crafted these and then purchased second hand books I thought my friends and family would love to go along with the handmade bookmark. Funnily enough, my mother (fully preyed on by the same ads) bought me the actual, professional version of the same gift. Lol.

3. Make an Apothecary

I found a bunch of recipes for facial and beard oils online, sourced some inexpensive and adorable little apothecary bottles and a bunch of essential oils and made everyone spa packages. This was very fun and somehow I have no pictures. Other great ideas are bath salts and bath bombs.

Joy, by Bonnie Lynn Felton, lynnfelton.com

4. Shortbread

I’ll link my Good Thing post here so you have the recipe for what is undeniably the very best shortbread recipe in all the land. I gave these the year Ted Lasso came out and so found little pink boxes to package them in (it’s a thing from the show) but cookie tins would also be a lovely keepsake to give along with the cookies. My sister in law made us orangettes one year which was one of the best things ever. I used to hate chocolate and orange and these completely changed my mind.

Other great food gifts are honey butter, candied pecans, toffee or jam.

5. Coasters

I have never made but have been lucky enough to receive homemade coasters from friends. They are stunning and I love them. Not only are coasters something you always need and never buy, these are pieces of art.

I found this tutorial that I think would achieve something similar to the black and white naked lady coaster set my dear friend Jessica made me. (Go listen to my podcast episode with her!) The terracotta with my baby Scraps on it was handmade by my friend Julia, who is a master ceramicist and artist.

I am also fully obsessed with knitted crafts and the idea of hand dipped candles but haven’t committed to bringing those to life yet. Everything has a tutorial on YouTube and Pinterest has a million ideas too.

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If you’ve been stuck on what to get or make your loved ones, I hope this post sparked inspiration for you.

For my Paid Subscribers, I have a gift for you posting Wednesday!

My last podcast of the year, a solo, will also drop in the next few weeks and of course my weekly essay. I may, however, take the last week of the year off as my dried up well of creativity (my freaking writer’s block) continues to be an affliction.

I hope you are taking the best care you possibly can of yourselves and all those you love.

Talk to you next week!